{"id":4546,"date":"2023-02-20T17:20:08","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T17:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/?post_type=blog&p=4546"},"modified":"2025-10-02T20:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T20:13:54","slug":"dpd-vs-royal-mail","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/dpd-vs-royal-mail\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Best Courier For Your Business: DPD vs. Royal Mail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

DPD vs. Royal Mail: simplified<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A breakdown of DPD services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A breakdown of Royal Mail services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD vs. Royal Mail: who to choose<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob connects you with a powerful courier network<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD vs. Royal Mail FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your ecommerce business is set up, and you\u2019ve received your first order. Congratulations! Now, all you need to do is choose which courier company you\u2019ll use to ship<\/a> goods to customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decision is more important than you might think. Different couriers come with different benefits and costs, so you should carefully weigh your business needs against the available shipping options<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of the most common couriers in the UK are DPD and Royal Mail. To help you determine which is the best fit for your business, we\u2019ll dive deep into the services, costs, and benefits of each, and compare them side by side.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD vs. Royal Mail: simplified<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is an overview of the key features and characteristics for the two parcel delivery service providers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>DPD<\/strong><\/td>Royal Mail<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
What it is<\/td>One of Europe’s largest parcel delivery networks <\/td>The UK\u2019s national postal service<\/td><\/tr>
Best For:<\/td>Ideal for shipping higher-value, heavier or larger orders, or international orders<\/td>More cost-effective for smaller, lighter parcels<\/a> shipped within the UK<\/td><\/tr>
Delivery<\/td>Offers more options for international delivery<\/td>Offers more delivery time windows and UK delivery options<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A breakdown of DPD services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DPD (short for Dynamic Parcel Distribution) is one of the largest and most popular courier services in Europe. It is not part of Royal Mail, but a separate entity owned by Europe\u2019s second-largest postal group, La Poste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is some basic information about the shipping giant\u2019s services, offerings, and policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DPD\u2019s geographical coverage is extensive, with 70,000 pickup and drop off parcelshops across Europe alone. Businesses can ship to 230 countries, and choose from a variety of shipping services to find a delivery window that fits their needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service<\/strong><\/td>Description<\/strong><\/td>Shipping Timeline<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
DPD Direct<\/td>Shipping via partnerships with local couriers<\/td>3-8 business days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Air Classic<\/td>Air shipping<\/td>2-5 business days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Express<\/td>Express air or road shipping<\/td>1-3 business days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD International Mail Standard<\/td>Standard international shipping specifically for businesses sending 2 kg of mail per day<\/td>Within Europe: 7-14 days To the rest of the world: 14-21 days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD International Mail Priority<\/td>Expedited international shipping specifically for businesses sending 2 kg of mail per day<\/td>Within Europe: 2-7 days To the rest of the world: 6-10 days<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DPD\u2019s international shipping cost includes online tracking, \u00a3459.57 of insurance cover, and pick up from the consignor, and allows for DDU and DDP<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For deliveries within Europe, DPD Classic enables Europe-wide shipping in 10 business days, depending on the destination, via road transport. The rates include live tracking, delivery prediction notifications, \u00a3459.57 of insurance cover, and pickup from consignor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For urgent shipments within the UK, there are also express delivery options such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service<\/strong><\/td>Delivery Time<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
DPD 10:30<\/td>Next-business day delivery by 10:30 am<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>Next-business-day delivery by 12:00 pm<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 18:00<\/td>Next-business-day delivery by 6:00 pm<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Saturday & Sunday<\/td>Delivery on Saturdays and Sundays<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cost per shipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DPD\u2019s next day delivery cost for 1 kg parcels is \u00a322.23 per consignment for shipping within England, Scotland, and Wales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Premium bag for items weighing up to 5kgs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD 10:30<\/td>\u00a323.47 to \u00a326.99 per parcel<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>\u00a316.58 to \u00a320.10 per parcel<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Next Day<\/td>\u00a39.68 to \u00a313.19 per parcel<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday and Sunday Surcharge<\/td>\u00a326.24 to \u00a336.68 per parcel<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Parcels – For a single item weighing up to 30kg or up to 1 meter in length:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD 10:30<\/td>\u00a336.04 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.87 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>\u00a329.14 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.87 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Next Day<\/td>\u00a322.23 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.71 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday and Sunday Surcharge<\/td>\u00a338.66 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.71 per kg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Freight<\/strong><\/a> – for a single item weighing between 31 and 350kg:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD 10:30<\/td>\u00a360.57 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>\u00a349.36 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg <\/td><\/tr>
DPD Next Day<\/td>\u00a342.46 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday and Sunday Surcharge<\/td>\u00a367.67 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
International service<\/strong><\/td>Rates<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
DPD Air Classic<\/td>European destinations: \u00a398.46 to \u00a3120.90 (up to 30 kgs), depending on the zone 

Non-European destinations: \u00a354.56 to \u00a379.86 (up to 30 kgs), depending on the zone <\/td><\/tr>

DPD Express<\/td>		European destinations: \u00a351.23 to \u00a360.54 (up to 0.5 kgs), depending on the zone

Non-European destinations: \u00a364.11 to \u00a393.99 (up to 0.5 kgs), depending on the zone  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All these rates have been sourced from DPD\u2019s tariff card<\/a>. Keep in mind that their delivery rates are exempt from VAT when comparing rates with other couriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost all shipping options offered by DPD offer up to \u00a3459.57 of coverage. In case your SKUs are worth more than that, you can opt for higher insurance. This option is available only for contract customers in combination with DPD Classic (by road) and DPD Home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For DPD Classic, the extended insurance is charged at 1% of the value of goods, offering a maximum cover of \u00a35,000 per consignment, and your business is allowed to add higher insurance to 20 parcels per calendar month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With DPD Air Classic and DPD Express, the standard liability is $100 per parcel. As with DPD Classic, the insurance for DPD Air Classic and DPD Express can be extended by paying 1% of the value of the consignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivery policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under DPD\u2019s delivery policy, the customer must acknowledge that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n